

Factor completely the numerator and the denominator separately.Cancel any common factors from the top and bottom of the rational expression. Try the given examples, or type in your own.
SIMPLIFYING RATIONAL EXPRESSIONS FREE
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Factor the top part of a rational expression to cross cancel a part of the variable. Simplifying rational expressions means the same as simplifying the fraction. A rational expression has been simplified or reduced to lowest terms if all common factors from the numerator and denominator have been canceled. A rational expression means that there are variables on the bottom or top of a fraction. Now, there is something incredibly important to note: monomials cancel monomials binomials cancel binomials trinomials cancel trinomials, etc.Īs long as you follow this rule, you’ll steer clear of falling into the cancelation trap! In simplifying rational expressions you need to pay attention to what values of the variable(s) in the expression would make the denominator equal zero. In this lesson, we will look at simplifying rational expressions. Here are some examples of rational expressions. A rational expression is nothing more than a fraction in which the numerator and/or the denominator are polynomials. Just like we would simplify or reduce a numerical fraction by canceling off factors common to both the top and bottom, we will simplify (reduce) a polynomial fraction by crossing out any factor(s) they have in common. We now need to look at rational expressions. Our goal in simplifying rational expressions is to rewrite the rational expression in its lowest terms by canceling all common factors from the numerator and denominator. Jenn, Founder Calcworkshop ®, 15+ Years Experience (Licensed & Certified Teacher)
